William 'Bill' Klemola

William “Bill” Klemola passed away on November 22, 2023 in Torrington, WY due to a sudden illness. Colyer Funeral Home assisted the family with cremation and a memorial service will be held at a later date. A wake has been planned for December 2nd at noon at the Nugget Bar in Hanna, WY. “Klem”, “Coach Klem”, “Pa” was born in Hanna Wyoming on December 30,1937 to Wayne and Helen (Briggs) Klemola. The family moved to Washington during the war where his dad was a welder in the shipyards and his mom was riveter for Boeing. They returned to Hanna after the war and it was there that Klem spent most of his life. He was very active in sports and was quarterback of the 1954 6-man State Championship football team. Upon graduation he attended the University Wyoming where he majored in teaching and minored in science. His senior year he married Charlotte (Mitchell). He took his first teaching job in Rock River where he also coached basketball and track. They made their home in McFadden where they had two kids, Keri and Buck. In 1966 he took the job as industrial arts teacher and coach in Hanna where he worked until his retirement. John was added to the family in 1968 and Lincoln in 1970. All four kids obtained their education at Hanna and were graduates of H.E.M. Klem touched many lives during his tenure as teacher and coach. He was JV Basketball coach and head Track Coach his entire time at Hanna, and while he was a hard man, he was fair. He always had his students and athletes best interests at heart, and you knew as long as he was yelling at you he cared! Feeding a family of six wasn’t easy those days on a teaching salary. Fortunately Klem was an avid hunter and fisherman. He taught all his children how to put food on the table as well and some of their fondest memories were being on the mountain or at the lake with him. Klem enjoyed golf and played all the way up to his last few years. Many of his lifelong friendships are a result of his love for the outdoors. Klem was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He is survived by his daughter Keri Smith of Rock Springs, WY, son Buck (Susan) Klemola of Torrington, WY, son John (Jodie) Klemola of Laramie, WY, son Lincoln (Michelle) Klemola of Gillette, WY grandsons Sam Smith of Petersburg, IL Aaron Smith of Springfield, IL, Ryan Klemola and Daegan Klemola of Laramie, WY, granddaughters Tressa (Chad) Wellman of Cheyenne, WY, Corrie (Jack) Leiseth of Saratoga, WY, Erika (Philip) Sully of Gilbert, AZ, Harley Klemola of Providence, RI, and Hannah Klemola of Gillette, WY and five great grandsons and three great granddaughters.

William 'Bill' Klemola

December 30, 1937 - November 22, 2023